Full Notification

On Saturday, March 12, 2016, the Sonoma Police Department in conjunction with Agents from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, conducted an undercover Decoy Shoulder-Tap Operation as part of a statewide shoulder-tap campaign.

ABC agents and local law enforcement conducted a program called a Decoy Shoulder Tap Operation which can lead to the arrest of adults who purchase alcohol for people under 21 years old. Under the program, a minor under the direct supervision of a peace officer will stand outside a liquor or convenience store and ask patrons to buy them alcohol. The minor indicates in some way he or she is underage and cannot purchase the alcohol.

If the adults agree to purchase alcohol for the minor, officers then arrest and cite them for furnishing alcohol to the minor. The penalty for furnishing alcohol to a minor is a minimum $1000 fine and 24 hours of community service.

The program is intended to reduce the availability of alcohol to minors. It is a misdemeanor to furnish alcoholic beverages to minors and any persons observed furnishing alcoholic beverages to minors are subject to arrest pursuant to Section 25658(a) of the Business & Profession Code.

The enforcement team visited five alcohol retail establishments in the Sonoma Valley area and City of Sonoma. A total of 75 contacts were made during the operation and four violations occurred. Three of the suspects were released with a citation to appear in court and a fourth subject was booked into the Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility. This operation was funded by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control through the Department’s Grant Assistance Program (GAP).

Prepared by Sergeant Jason Craver, Sonoma Police Department, (707) 996-3602.